In Sunday's Game 6, Kukoc made 7 of 14 shots for 15 points; Jordan was the only other Bull to score more than eight points in the Bulls' 87-86 win. In Friday's Game 5, Kukoc had hit 11 of 13 shots on his way to 30 points.

Kukoc finished the Finals by making 18 of 27 shots for 45 points in Games 5 and 6. Without Kukoc's 30 points Friday, the Bulls would have been blown out of their own building.

In that game, Michael Jordan missed a potential game-winner. Sunday, of course, Jordan hit his. With no Kukoc, would either shot have even been attempted?

"I know I contributed more this season than I did in the last two," Kukoc said. "But I had the opportunity to contribute more."

In the past, the non-Jordan scoring chances usually went to Pippen. Sunday, Pippen was game, playing despite an obviously painful back injury. But in the Finals' final two games, Pippen made 6 of his final 25 shots. Jordan needed a sidekick, and the first nominee was either off the mark (in Game 5) or off the court (for much of Game 6.)

Enter Kukoc.

Remember when Pippen dreaded those words, when he hated the mere idea that Kukoc would sign with the Bulls for more money than he was making? Pippen will get his money now, in Chicago or somewhere else. And he will get it with six championship rings in his possession. It might be five without Kukoc.

For fans looking for a reason to believe that all fences can be mended, that all burned bridges can be rebuilt, consider Kukoc and Pippen. After taking up Pippen's scoring load in the final two games, Kukoc had nothing but kind words for the teammate who once ripped him consistently.

"Scottie's heart is bigger than his back problems," Kukoc said.

Kukoc finally received the shots in these playoffs that he has been asking for since Michael Jordan returned, but he said this title was no sweeter than the last two. Still, he knows his efforts this postseason, when he displaced Dennis Rodman from the lineup, will be looked at more fondly than his more limited role the last two years.

Rodman sometimes pouted about that switch, but when the Bulls needed him in the second half Sunday, he responded. Rodman pulled down six of his eight rebounds in the second half, which is especially significant since the Bulls only had 22 rebounds for the game.

"This is a very emotional win," Rodman said.

Is it his last?

"I would love to come back to Chicago," Rodman said. "I would love to get the whole nucleus back."

That includes Kukoc, who is under contract for next year.

"Nobody said this is the end," Kukoc said. "If it is the last time, which I hope not, then it is the best way to end."